Method of interfacing a LC sensor and related system

ABSTRACT

A method of interfacing a LC sensor with a control unit is provided. The control unit may include first and second contacts, where the LC sensor is connected between the first and the second contact. A capacitor is connected between the first contact and a ground. To start the oscillation of the LC sensor, the method may include during a first phase, connecting the first contact to a supply voltage and placing the second contact in a high impedance state such that the capacitor is charged through the supply voltage. During a second phase, the first contact may be placed in a high impedance state, and the second contact connected to the ground such that the capacitor transfers charge towards the LC sensor. During a third phase, the first contact and the second contact may be placed in a high impedance state so the LC sensor is able to oscillate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to techniques for interfacing an LC sensor.

BACKGROUND

LC sensors are well known in the art. For example, LC sensors may be used as electronic proximity sensors which are able to detect the presence of a conductive target. Some common applications of inductive sensors include, e.g., metal detectors and derived applications, such as rotation sensors.

FIG. 1 shows the basic behavior of an LC sensor 10. Specifically, in the example considered, the LC sensor 10 includes an inductor L and a capacitor C, which form a resonant circuit also called tank circuit. The arrangement further includes a power supply 102, such as a voltage source, and a switch 104.

When the switch 104 is in a first position (as shown in FIG. 1), the capacitor C is charged up to the supply voltage. When the capacitor C is fully charged, the switch 102 changes position, placing the capacitor 102 in parallel with the inductor L, and it starts to discharge through the inductor L. This starts an oscillation between the LC resonant circuit 10.

From a practical point of view, the LC sensor 10 also includes a resistive component R, which will dissipate energy over time. Accordingly, losses occur which will decay the oscillations, i.e., the oscillation is dampened.

Such an LC sensor 10 may be used, e.g., to detect metallic objects. This is because the oscillation will be damped quicker in the presence of a metallic object (see, e.g. FIG. 2b ) compared to an oscillation without a metallic object (see, e.g., FIG. 2a ). Generally speaking, the sensing component of an LC sensor 10 may be the inductor L, the capacitor C and/or the resistor R. For example, the resistance R primarily influences the damping factor, while the L and C component primarily influence the oscillation frequency.

Moreover, such a LC sensor 10 may also be created by simply connecting a capacitor C to an inductive sensor L, or an inductor L to a capacitive sensor C. However, the inductor L (with its dissipative losses) usually provides the sensing element.

FIG. 3a shows a possible embodiment for performing the LC sensing of the sensor 10 with a control unit 20, such as a microcontroller, as described, e.g., in the documents Application Note AN0029, “Low Energy Sensor Interface-Inductive Sensing”, Rev. 1.05, 2013-05-09, Energy micro, or Application Report SLAA222A, “Rotation Detection with the MSP430 Scan Interface”, April 2011, Texas Instruments. In the example considered, the control unit 20 has two pins or pads 202 and 204, and the LC sensor 10 is connected between these pins 202 and 204.

The control unit 20 includes a controllable voltage source 206 connected to the pin 202 to impose a fixed voltage V_(MID) at this pin 202. For example, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is typically used for this purpose.

During a charge phase, the pin 204 is connected to ground GND. Accordingly, during this phase, the sensor 10 is connected between the voltage V_(MID) and ground GND, and the capacitor C of the sensor 10 is charged to the voltage V_(MID).

Next, the control unit 20 opens the second pin 204, i.e., the pin 204 is floating. Accordingly, due to the fact that the capacitor C of the sensor 10 has be charged during the previous phase, the LC resonant circuit 10 starts to oscillate as described above.

Thus, by analyzing the voltage, e.g., voltage V₂₀₄ at pin 204, the oscillation may be characterized. In fact, as shown in FIG. 3b , the voltage at the pin 204 corresponds to a damped oscillation having a DC offset corresponding to the voltage V_(MID), imposed by the voltage source 206, i.e., the voltage V_(MID) defines the middle point of the oscillation. Accordingly, the voltage V_(MID) is usually set to half of the supply voltage of the control unit 20, e.g., VDD/2, in order to have the maximum range.

Often, the circuit also includes an additional capacitor C1 connected between the pin 202 and ground GND to stabilize the voltage signal VMID and to provide the boost of current required to charge the sensor. In order to analyze the signal at the pin 204 (see, e.g., FIG. 3a ), the control unit 20 may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 208 connected to the pin 204 to sample the voltage of the oscillation. Thus, based on the resolution and sampling frequency of the ADC 206, the whole oscillation may be characterized.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative approach. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the control unit 20 comprises a comparator 210 which compares the voltage at the pin 204 with a reference signal, such as a reference voltage V_(Ref). For example, this reference voltage V_(Ref) may be fixed, e.g., to VDD/2, or set via a digital-to-analog converter 212. For example, FIGS. 5a and 5b respectively show the oscillations with and without a metallic object in the vicinity of the sensor 10, along with a possible reference voltage V_(Ref) and the output CMP of the comparator 210. Generally, the two approaches shown in FIGS. 3a and 4, i.e., the ADC 208 and comparator 210, may also be combined in the same control unit 20.

Thus, based on the foregoing, contactless motion measurement may be achieved by interfacing LC sensors directly with microcontroller integrated circuits (ICs). Such sensing may be useful, e.g., for metering systems (gas, water, distance, etc.). However, while handling and sampling sensors, microcontrollers (or MCUs) should reduce as much as possible the power consumption to permit the development of battery-powered systems. Moreover, as MCU units are typically general-purpose, there is also the need to reduce as much as possible the silicon area due to the specialized circuits required for the implementation of the above functionality.

Accordingly, in LC sensor excitation and measurement techniques it is important to reduce consumption and cost, especially for battery powered applications as already mentioned. Thus, a first problem is related to the use of dedicated low power analog components, e.g., for generating the voltage V_(MID) and the internal reference voltage V_(Ref), which results in a greater cost.

A second problem is related to the digital-to-analog converter 212 that should be both low power and fast enough to follow the dumped oscillation. This leads to a significant power consumption per measurement, and challenging application constraints in battery-powered systems.

Furthermore, Process-Voltage-Temperature (PVT) variations are another important issue in battery-powered systems, where there are significant voltage changes. Indeed, most of the components described in the foregoing could be affected by the PVT variations, including: sensors (damping factor, frequency, etc.); I/O pads current and resistance (excitation); comparators switching point, etc.

SUMMARY

Based upon the foregoing, there is a need for approaches which overcome one or more of previously outlined drawbacks.

Such an object is achieved through a method having the features specifically set forth in the claims that follow. A related system is provided, as well as a corresponding related computer program product, loadable in the memory of at least one computer and including software code portions for performing the steps of the method of the invention when the product is run on a computer. As used herein, reference to such a computer program product is intended to be equivalent to reference to a computer-readable medium containing computer-readable instructions for controlling a computer system to coordinate the performance of the method of the invention. Reference to “at least one computer” is intended to highlight the possibility for the present invention to be implemented in a distributed/modular fashion. The claims are an integral part of the disclosure of the invention provided herein. The claims are an integral part of the technical teaching of the invention provided herein.

As mentioned above, the present description provides approaches for interfacing a LC sensor with a control unit, such as a microcontroller, where the control unit comprises a first and a second contact, such as the pins or pads of a microcontroller. In particular, the LC sensor is connected between two contacts and an additional capacitor is connected between the first contact and a ground.

In some embodiments, the oscillation of the LC sensor is started by three phases. More specifically, during the first phase, the first contact is connected to a supply voltage and the second contact is placed in a high impedance state, e.g., disconnected, such that the capacitor is charged through the supply voltage provided at the first contact. During the second phase, the first contact is placed in a high impedance state, e.g., disconnected, and the second contact is connected to ground, whereby the capacitor is connected in parallel with the LC sensor and charge is transferred from the capacitor towards the LC sensor. During the third phase, both contacts are placed in a high impedance state, such that the LC sensor is able to oscillate. Accordingly, the oscillation of the LC sensor may be started with a three state driver circuitry, e.g., of a microcontroller.

In some embodiments, the duration of the second phase, i.e., the charge transfer phase, is varied to regulate the voltage at the capacitor at the beginning of the third phase (i.e., the oscillation phase). This defines the middle point voltage of the oscillation occurring at the second contact.

In some embodiments, the voltage at the second contact is monitored at least during the third phase to determine some characteristics of the oscillation of the LC sensor. For example, the voltage at the second contact may be compared with at least one reference voltage in order to generate a comparison signal. In this case, the number of pulses in the comparison signal may be counted to characterize the oscillation. Accordingly, the oscillation of the LC sensor may be monitored with an input sensing circuitry, e.g., of a microcontroller.

In some embodiments, the number of pulse is also used to regulate the middle point voltage of the oscillation occurring at the second contact. For example, this may be done by varying the duration of the second phase, i.e., the charge transfer phase.

In some embodiments, the charge or discharge behavior of the capacitor may be analyzed via a comparator with hysteresis during a calibration phase. The middle point voltage of the oscillation occurring at the second contact may be regulated by recharging or discharging the capacitor between the second and third phase based on the charge or discharge behavior of the capacitor determined during the calibration phase. Accordingly, the middle point voltage of the oscillation may also be regulated with the three state driver circuitry, e.g., of a microcontroller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an LC sensor in accordance with the prior art;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are graphs of voltage oscillation of the LC sensor of FIG. 1 with and without a metallic object present, respectively;

FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram illustrating another LC sensor arrangement including a controller in accordance with the prior art, and FIG. 3b is a graph of voltage oscillation of the LC sensor of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another LC sensor arrangement including a controller in accordance with the prior art;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are graphs of voltage oscillation of the LC sensor arrangement of FIG. 4 with and without a metallic object present, respectively;

FIGS. 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12 are schematic diagrams illustrating systems for interfacing an LC sensor in accordance with example embodiments;

FIGS. 8, 14, and 15 are flow diagrams illustrating methods for interfacing an LC sensor which may be used in the systems of FIGS. 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12;

FIGS. 11a-11d and 16 are graphs illustrating exemplary waveforms which may occur in the systems of FIGS. 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12; and

FIG. 13 is a table providing exemplary results obtained with the systems of FIGS. 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. The embodiments may be practiced without one or several specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

In the following FIGS. 6 to 16, parts, elements or components which have already been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same references previously used in such figures. As such, the description of such previously described elements will not be repeated in the following description.

The embodiments described herein provide approaches that permit an efficient handling of at least one LC sensor 10 by reducing the required dedicated on-chip components and/or by providing reduced power consumption. Some embodiments may also be implemented in a full digital manner with a conventional low cost microcontroller, thus reducing cost.

Various embodiments may provide an improved resilience against PVT variations (particularly suitable for battery powered systems). In some embodiments, the approach is based on two different techniques, namely Capacitive Dynamic Charge Sharing (CDCS) and Self-Tuning Reference (STR). In some embodiments, such an approach applies a capacitive dynamic charge sharing to remove the V_(MID) generator and the Vref Generator 206/212 shown with respect to FIGS. 3a and 4, and to use a Self-Tuning Reference technique to permit the use of a fixed internal reference and to improve robustness against PVT variations.

Capacitive Dynamic Charge Sharing

As mentioned above, the Capacitive Dynamic Charge Sharing (CDCS) technique allows for the removal of the V_(MID) voltage generator module. More particularly, this approach is based on the fact that, in a very short time, the inductance L of the sensor 10 is such that the capacitor C1 and the capacitor C of the sensor 10 are connected in series.

FIG. 6 shows the basic architecture of this approach. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment the LC sensor 10 is connected again (e.g., directly) between the pins 202 and 204 of the control unit 20, such as a microcontroller. Moreover, a capacitor C1 is connected (e.g., directly) between the pin 202 and ground GND. As will be described further below, the capacitor C1 is used in a different manner as compared to the prior art approaches described with respect to FIGS. 3b and 4.

In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 20 does not include a dedicated DAC for generating the voltage V_(MID), but the control unit 20 merely includes a switch 220 configured to selectively connect the pin 202 to a fixed voltage, such as the supply voltage VDD of the control unit 20 or a voltage signal provided by an internal voltage reference generator, which is often available in conventional microcontrollers. Generally speaking, the supply voltage VDD may be received via a power supply pin of the control unit 20 (not shown). Accordingly, the pin 202 may be either floating or connected to a supply voltage. For example, in some embodiments the operation of the switch 202 may be implemented with a convention three state driver circuitry, e.g., “1” for VDD, “0” for GND and “Z” for a high impedance state, which is often used for output pins of microcontrollers or other digital integrated circuits.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 20 includes a further switch 222 configured to connect the pin 204 selectively to ground GND. Thus, the operation of the switch 222 may be implemented also with the conventional driver circuitry of an output pin of a microcontroller.

The switching of the switches 220 and 222 is controlled by a processing unit 230, such as a digital processing unit programmed via software instructions. For example, this may be the central processing unit (CPU) of a microcontroller or a dedicated digital IP. Accordingly, in some embodiments (see, e.g., FIG. 7), the above-described driving of the pads 202 and 204 may be implemented with conventional three state driving circuits 240 and 242, e.g., of a microcontroller 20.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of the main operations performed by the control unit 20 to start an oscillation of the LC sensor 10. After a start step 2000, the control unit 20 connects in a step 2002 the pin 202 to a supply signal, such as the supply voltage VDD of the microcontroller 20, and the pin 204 is floating. For example, the processing unit 230 may drive the pin 202 with the logic level “1” and the pin 204 with the logic level “Z”. Accordingly, in the step 2002, only the capacitor C1 is connected between the supply voltage VDD and ground GND, and the capacitor C1 is charged.

Next, the control unit 20 connects the pin 204 to ground GND in a step 2004, while the pin 202 is floating. For example, the processing unit 230 may drive the pin 202 with the logic level “Z” and the pin 204 with the logic level “0”. Accordingly, in the step 2004 the sensor 10 is connected in parallel with the capacitor C1, and the charge on the capacitor C1 is transferred at least partially to the capacitor C and generally the sensor 10, i.e., the charge of the capacitor C1 is shared with the sensor 10.

Next, the control unit 20 opens the second pin 204 in a step 2006, i.e., both pins 202 and 204 are floating. For example, the processing unit 230 may drive both the pin 202 and the pin 204 with the logic level “Z”. Accordingly, due to the fact that the LC sensor 10 has been charged during the step 2006, the LC resonant circuit 10 starts to oscillate in the step 2008, as described above. Finally, the procedure terminates at a step 2010.

The driving scheme may also include an optional step 2008, in which the oscillation is stopped. For example, this might be useful if multiple consecutive measurements have to be performed. As shown in FIG. 8, this step 2008 may be performed at the end of a measurement (after step 2006) or could be performed at the beginning of a new measurement, e.g. before step 2002. For example, during the step 2008, both pads 202 and 204 may be connected to ground, e.g., the processing unit 230 may drive both the pin 202 and the pin 204 with the logic level “0”, in order to discharge the capacitors C1 and C.

The above description is applicable to a single sensor 10. However the system may also be extended to multiple sensors, e.g., by using a single pad 202 and a respective sensing pad 204 for each LC sensor. Generally speaking, the amount of charge transferred during the step 2004 depends on the excitation time T_(excit), in which the switch 222 remains closed while the switch 220 is opened, i.e., the duration of the step 2004.

Basically, if the time T_(excit) is sufficiently short, the inductor L of the sensor may be assumed open and at the end of the step 2004 the total charge originally stored in the capacitor C1 will be redistributed between the two capacitors C1 and C, and the voltage at the capacitors C1 and C will be given by the capacitor divider formula. For example, in case the two capacitors C1 and C have the same capacitance and assuming instantaneous charge transfer, the voltage on the capacitor C1 and the capacitor C would reach half of the voltage supply signal VDD.

However, it will be appreciated that the charge transfer is indeed not “instantaneous”, e.g., due to resistive loads between the capacitor C and C1, and the inductor L cannot be assumed always open during the time T_(excit). That is the capacitor C1 will also discharge through the inductor L. As a consequence, the final voltages at the capacitor C1 and the capacitor C depend on the time T_(excit), i.e., the voltages reached by the capacitor C1 and the sensor capacitor C (at the end of the step 2004 and the beginning of step 2006) depend on the excitation time T_(excit).

Accordingly, the Capacitive Dynamic Charge Sharing (CDCS) technique shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is based substantially on a capacitive divider principle (exploiting existing components) applied during a transitory period. Specifically, in the embodiment considered, the capacitor C1 is pre-charged to VDD, and the charge is transferred partially to the sensor 10 as a function of the duration T_(excit) of the step 2004, i.e., while pin 202 is floating and pin 204 is connected to ground. However, as described above, the voltage at the capacitor C1 during the step 2006, in which the LC sensor is oscillating, constitutes the middle point voltage V_(MID) of the oscillation. Accordingly, by controlling the duration T_(excit), it is possible to regulate the voltage V_(MID), i.e., the voltage at the capacitor C1 at the end of the step 2004 or the beginning of step 2006.

Self-Tuning Reference

The Self-Tuning Reference (STR) technique, when used in conjunction with the previously described Capacitive Dynamic Charge Sharing (CDCS) technique, permits the use of a simple comparator with fixed (e.g., internal) reference value V_(Ref) to analyze the oscillation during the step 2006. Accordingly, no digital-to-analog converter (e.g., block 208 in FIG. 3a ) or controllable voltage reference (e.g., block 212 in FIG. 4) is required.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a comparator 250 may be connected to the pin 204 and compare the voltage at the pin 204 with a fixed reference value V_(Ref). The result of the comparison CMP may then be made available to the processing unit 230, e.g., the digital processing core of a microcontroller, which may be configured for analyzing the sequence of pulses in the signal CMP.

For example, in some embodiments, a comparator with hysteresis, such as a Schmitt Trigger, with fixed thresholds may be used to analyze the oscillation. For example, such Schmitt Triggers with fixed thresholds are often used in the sensing circuitry of the input pads of microcontrollers or other digital integrated circuits. Accordingly, no additional components may be required and the conventional sensing circuitry of an input pin of microcontroller may be used.

By way of example, as shown in FIG. 10, the conventional sensing circuitry 260 of an input pad, e.g., of a microcontroller, may be used to implement the comparator 250. Accordingly, the result of the comparison may be directly available to the processing core 230 by merely “reading” the value associated with the input pad 204.

In the prior-art approach described with respect to FIG. 4, the possibility of tuning the internal reference voltage V_(Ref) via the source 212 usually permits setting a reference value V_(Ref) which ensures that enough digital pulses are generated at the output CMP of the comparator, but not too many pulses to avoid a waste of time and power (see also FIGS. 5a and 5b ). Conversely, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned Capacitive Dynamic Charge Sharing technique is used to selectively vary the middle point voltage V_(MID) of the oscillation instead of the threshold voltage of the comparator 250. Accordingly, the role of V_(MID) and V_(Ref) are swapped, i.e., by moving the Voltage V_(MID), the number of digital pulses may be varied in a substantially similar way as moving the voltage V_(Ref).

By way of example, FIG. 11a shows a typical oscillation of an LC sensor with a middle point V_(MID) (which usually corresponds to 0.5 VDD) and the reference voltage V_(Ref), which in the example is set to V_(MID). Conversely, FIG. 11b shows an example in which the middle point voltage V_(MID) has been raised to change the number of digital pulses instead of moving the voltage V_(Ref).

Similarly, FIG. 11c shows the waveform of FIG. 11a , in which a Schmitt Trigger has been used, e.g., with a lower threshold TL of 0.4 VDD and a upper threshold TH of 0.6 VDD. Finally, FIG. 11d shows the waveform of FIG. 11b with raised middle point voltage V_(MID), and where the Schmitt Trigger of FIG. 11c has been used.

As shown in the above FIGS. 11a to 11d , the number of pulses at the output of the comparator 210 varies for the same waveform as a function of the middle point voltage V_(MID). However, as mentioned above, the middle point voltage V_(MID) varies as a function of the excitation time T_(excit) during the charge transfer phase 2004. Thus, by controlling the time T_(excit), the comparison result may be tuned.

FIG. 12 shows in this context an embodiment of an integrated circuit 20, such as a microcontroller, which may be used to perform the above-noted operations. More specifically, pad 204 is an input and output pad with the associated three state output drive circuitry 242 and input sensing circuitry 260, such as a Schmitt Trigger. Pad 202 is at least an output pad with the associated three state output drive circuitry 240.

Accordingly, by driving the pads 202 and 204 via the driver circuitry 240 and 242 as described above, in particular with respect to FIG. 8, the oscillation of the LC sensor 10 may be stimulated and the middle point voltage V_(MID) may be set. More specifically, the driving of the pads 202 and 204 may be performed via the digital processing core 230.

Once the oscillation has been started, the output from the sensing circuitry 260 is fed to the processing core 230 for further analysis to determine characteristics of the oscillation. For example, as shown with respect to FIGS. 5a and 5b , the output CMP is indicative for the damping factor of the oscillation, which in turn is indicative for the presence of a metallic object near the sensor 10. Generally speaking, the digital processing unit 230 may be a dedicated hardware module, a general-purpose processor programmed via software instructions or a combination of both.

Thus, counting of the pulses in the signal CMP may also be performed via the digital processing core. However, the oscillation may have a high frequency, in which case counting via software instructions may not be feasible. Accordingly, such this case the control unit 20 may include a hardware-implemented counter 270, which already is often included in conventional microcontrollers, and the output of the sensing circuitry 260 may be fed to the counter 270. Thus, the counter 270 may count the number of pulses in the signal CMP independently from the processing unit 230 and the processing unit 230 may only read the final result, i.e., the signal at the output of the counter 270, and eventually reset the counter 270 when a new measurement is started.

Moreover, the counter 270 may also be extended to provide a dedicate measurement and processing unit which directly elaborates the signal CMP to extract the information required. For example, the measurement and processing unit 270 may directly detect the sensor's state, such as over metal, over plastic, etc.

The module 270 may also generate at least on programmable interrupt on specific conditions. For example, such a measurement and processing unit may also be connected to a plurality of sensing pads 204 to elaborate the signal from a plurality of sensors, e.g., to perform a speed or rotation measurement.

As shown with respect to FIGS. 11a to 11d , the number of pulses at the output of the comparator 210 varies for the same waveform as a function of the middle point voltage V_(MID). The middle point voltage V_(MID) in turn varies as a function of the excitation time T_(excit) during the charge transfer phase 2004.

In some embodiments, the Self-Tuning Reference (STR) technique looks directly at the number of digital pulses generated at the output of the comparator, e.g. the Schmitt Trigger 260 of FIG. 10 to automatically tune the excitation time T_(excit), to be used in the CDCS technique described in the foregoing. In this way, a desired number of digital pulses may be achieved, which usually corresponds to a given reference condition (e.g., with metal). For example, the reference condition usually corresponds to the situation with the greatest damping factor, which corresponds to the oscillation with the lowest expectable number of pulses in the output CMP of the comparator 250/260. By way of example, in some embodiments a closed-loop regulation is used to set the time T_(excit) to ensure that the number of pulse for a given reference condition, e.g., the condition with the greatest damping factor, corresponds to the target number of pulses K. In this case, when measuring the reference condition the number of pulses at the output of the comparator will include K counts, and the number of pulses will increase in condition with a lower damping factor.

For example, considering an exemplary case where the resistance R in the sensor 10 (which primarily models the damping behavior) may be between 3 and 45 Ohms, and the minimum number of count K should be 4, the calibration would be performed for the condition with R=45 Ohm. By way of example, for a typical LC sensor, the final results may then be:

4 pulses for R=45 Ohm;

5 pulses for R=37 Ohm; and

9 pulses for R=3 Ohm.

Moreover, the described calibration mechanism renders the system robust against variations of parameters which influence the oscillation. For example, FIG. 13 shows a table including the number of pulses in the signal CMP for different supply voltages VDD∈{3.3V, 2.V, 2.5V, 2.1V}, temperatures T∈{−30° C., 25° C., 125° C.}, and resistances R∈{3 Ohm, 37 Ohm, 45 Ohm}. As shown in FIG. 13, this approach is very robust against voltage variations, while the resolution may be affected by low temperatures.

In some embodiments, instead of performing the calibration only once, the Self-Tuning Reference technique may be run continuously and regulate the voltage V_(MID), ensuring that the number of pulses in the signal CMP for a measurement is never smaller than K. For example, this may be useful for rotation sensors where a disc with a metal profile is rotated in front of at least one LC sensor 10, because in this case it may be difficult to establish a priori the correct reference condition. Thus, generally speaking, the Self-Tuning Reference technique may be performed by the digital processing unit 230 or also directly by the measurement and processing unit 270.

The STR technique may also be used to identify the direction to take when modifying the time T_(excit) and/or cope with deadlocks, which may occur when the time T_(excit) is out of the valid range. For example, in some embodiments, the following parameters may be used:

-   -   NP—number of pulses for the current measurement cycle;     -   PNP—number of pulses for the previous measurement cycle;     -   DIR—direction;     -   PDIR—previous direction;     -   K—target minimum number of pulses for a measurement;     -   T_(excit)—excitation time, e.g. in clock periods during which         the capacitor C1 transfers charge to the sensor 10; and     -   TO—timeout, e.g., in measurement cycles.

In some embodiments, when the number of measured pulses NP is less than the target K and less than pulses in the previous cycle PNP, a direction change may be forced, because it may be assumed that the time T_(excit) should be corrected in the opposite direction. In some embodiments, a counter C is used to check whether the timeout condition occurs. For example, such a counter C may be incremented each time the number of measure pulses NP is less than K but equal to the previous one NPN. Accordingly, if this condition is true for TO measurement cycles, the parameter T_(excit) is out of range, because there is no more sensitivity to a variation of T_(excit). For example, in this case, the time T_(excit) may be reset to its original value and the direction is changed.

By way of example, FIG. 14 shows a flow chart of a method which may be used to automatically determine the time T_(excit). After a start step 3000, the procedure starts and the parameters are initialized in a step 3002. For example, in this step 3002 the counter C may be reset (e.g., set to zero), the parameter PNP is set to zero, and the time T_(excit) is set to a initial default value (e.g., zero).

The procedure continues at a step 3004 where a measurement is performed. If the calibration procedure is always switched on, the procedure may also merely monitor whether a measurement has been performed.

In a verification step 3006, the procedure verifies whether the measured number of pulses NP is less than the target value K. If the measured number of pulses NP is equal or greater than the target K (output “N” of the conditional step 3006), no correction is required and the procedure continues at a step 3008 where the timeout counter C is reset (e.g., set to zero), and the procedure returns to step 3004.

On the contrary, where the measured number of pulses NP is less than the target value K (output “Y” of the verification step 3006), some correction may be required and the procedure continues at a step 3010. Specifically, in the verification step 3010, the procedure verifies whether the measured number of pulses NP is less than the previous number of pulses PNP.

When the measured number of pulses NP is less than the previous number of pulses PNP (output “Y” of the verification step 3010), the direction DIR for the correction of the time T_(excit) is inverted at a step 3012. For example, if the previous direction PDIR indicates that the time T_(excit) should be decreased, the new direction DIR indicates now that the time T_(excit) should be incremented. On the contrary, if the previous direction PDIR indicates that the time T_(excit) should be incremented, the new direction DIR indicates now that the time T_(excit) should be decremented.

Moreover, in this case the counter C is reset at a step 3014, and the time T_(excit) is updated at a step 3016, e.g., by decrementing or incrementing the value of T_(excit) based on the updated parameter DIR. For example, in an example embodiment the parameter T_(excit) is varied merely by one clock cycle, i.e., T_(excit)=T_(excit)±1. However, the variation may depend on the velocity of the control unit, e.g., the frequency of the clock signal.

Finally, the parameters of the previous cycle are update at a step 3018, e.g., by assigning the value of the direction DIR to the previous direction PDIR and the value of the number of pulses NP to the previous number of pulses PNP. On the contrary, if the measured number of pulses NP is equal or greater than the previous number of pulses PNP (output “N” of the verification step 3010), the direction DIR for the correction of the time T_(excit) is usually correct.

However, in this case it may be verified whether a timeout condition is reached. For example, in the embodiment considered, the procedure verifies whether the measured number of pulses NP is equal to the previous number of pulses PNP in a step 3020.

More specifically, if the number of measured pulses NP is not equal to the previous number of pulses PNP (output “N” of the verification step 3020) and taking into account that is has previously been verified that the measured number of pulses NP is not smaller than the previous number of pulses PNP (see step 3010), the measured number of pulses NP is greater than the previous number of pulses PNP. Accordingly, in this case the correction is going in the correct direction and the timeout counter C may be reset and the time T_(excit) may be updated, i.e., incremented or decremented based on the current direction DIR. For example, in the present embodiment, the procedure simply proceeds at the step 3014 for this reason.

Conversely, in case the where number of measured pulses NP is equal to the previous number of pulses PNP (output “Y” of the verification step 3020), a timeout condition may be present. This is because the last variation of the time T_(excit) did not influence the measured number of pulses.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the procedure continues to increment or decrement the time T_(excit) until a variation of the number of pulse occurs or a timeout is reached. For example, in the present embodiment, the procedure continues for this reason at a verification step 3022, in which the procedure verifies whether the counter C has reached the timeout value TO.

When the counter C has not reached the timeout value TO (output “N” of the verification step 3022), a single variation of the time T_(excit) might have been insufficient, and the counter C is incremented in a step 3024. Moreover, in this case the procedure continues to vary the time T_(excit) in the current direction, i.e., incremented or decremented T_(excit) based on the current direction DIR. For example, in the present embodiment, the procedure proceeds at the step 3016 for this reason.

Conversely, if the counter C has reached the timeout value TO (output “Y” of the verification step 3022), a timeout condition occurred, i.e., variations of the time T_(excit) do not influence anymore the number of pulses. In this case, a possible approach may be to see if variations in the opposite direction are suitable to reach the required number of pulses K. For example, in an example embodiment, the direction is inverted and the time T_(excit) is set to the previous value before a timeout condition was reached.

In the present embodiment, the direction DIR for the correction of the time T_(excit) may be inverted at a step 3026. For example, if the previous direction PDIR indicates that the time T_(excit) should be decreased, the new direction DIR indicates now that the time T_(excit) should be incremented. On the contrary, if the previous direction PDIR indicates that the time T_(excit) should be incremented, the new direction DIR indicates now that the time T_(excit) should be decremented.

Moreover, in this case the counter C is reset at a step 3028, and the time T_(excit) is set to the previous value T_(excit) at a step 3030. For example, if the new direction DIR indicates that the time T_(excit) should be incremented, the timeout value TO may be added to the time T_(excit), i.e. T_(excit)=T_(excit)+TO, thus turning back to the value of T_(excit) prior to the timeout loop. On the contrary, if the new direction DIR indicates that the time T_(excit) should be decremented, the timeout value TO may be subtracted from the time T_(excit), i.e., T_(excit)=T_(excit)−TO.

Finally, the procedure may continue in this case at step 3018 to update the parameters of the previous cycle. For example, the convergence of the above described procedure has been verified with a conventional microcontroller for K=4 and TO=4.

In addition to the above-described methods for setting the minimum number of pulses K, a different approach may also be used to set the time T_(excit). More specifically, in some embodiments, the voltage V_(MID) is determined via a Schmitt Trigger connected to pad 202, e.g., a respective input circuitry 262 of the pad 202 (see, e.g., FIG. 12) similar to the one described for the pad 204.

In an example embodiment, by driving the pads 202 and 204 and by monitoring the voltage at the pad 202 via a Schmitt trigger, it is possible to regulate the voltage V_(MID). More specifically, FIG. 15 shows a calibration procedure and FIG. 16 shows a respective waveform of the voltage at pad 202, and thus the voltage V_(MID) at the capacitor C1, for a given period of time t.

After a start step 4000, the control unit 20 sets in a step 4002 the pad 202 to the voltage VDD and the pad 204 to a high impedance state. For example, the processing unit 230 may drive the pin 202 with the logic level “1” and the pin 204 with the logic level “Z”.

Accordingly, this condition corresponds to step 2002 described above with respect to FIG. 8. That is, only the capacitor C1 is connected between the supply voltage VDD and ground GND and the capacitor C1 is charged.

Once the voltage V₂₀₂ at the pad 202 is stable (e.g., after a given period of time), the control unit 20 connects in a step 4004 (at time t1) the pad 204 to ground GND and sets the pad 202 to a high impedance state. For example, the processing unit 230 may drive the pin 202 with the logic level “Z” and the pin 204 with the logic level “0”. Accordingly, this condition corresponds to step 2004 described with respect to FIG. 8, in which the sensor 10 is connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 and the charge on the capacitor C1 is transferred at least partially to the sensor 10. Accordingly, in this stage the voltage at pad 202 decreases as shown in FIG. 16.

In the present embodiment, the processing unit 230 monitors the logic level CMP₂₀₂ at the output of the Schmitt Trigger 262 associated with the pad 202. In fact, while the voltage V₂₀₂ remains above the lower threshold TL of the Schmitt Trigger, the signal CMP₂₀₂ will be high, i.e., the logic level “1”.

At the moment t2 when the signal CMP₂₀₂ goes low, i.e., the logic level “0”, the voltage V₂₀₂ has reached the lower threshold TL. Immediately after having detected that the signal CMP₂₀₂ has gone low, i.e., at the instant t2, the control unit 20 sets at step 4006 the pad 202 to the voltage VDD and the pad 204 is connected to Z.

Accordingly, at time t1 the capacitor C1 stored the following charge: Q _(t1) =C1·Vdd, while the capacitor C1 stored only the following charge at the time t2: Q _(t2) =C1·TL, i.e., the following charge has been transferred to the LC sensor 10: Q _(LC) =Q _(t1) −Q _(t2),

Accordingly, at this moment the oscillation of the LC sensor 10 has been started and the pin 202 could also be disconnected or placed in a high impedance state. Conversely, in the embodiment considered, at this stage the capacitor C1, (i.e., pin 202) is connected again to the supply voltage VDD to recharge the capacitor C1, thus increasing the middle point voltage V_(MID). By way of example, the processing unit 230 may drive the pin 202 with the logic level “1” and the pin 204 with the logic level “Z”.

At the moment t3 when the signal CMP₂₀₂ goes to high, (i.e., the logic level “1”), the voltage V_(MID)/V₂₀₂ has reached the upper threshold TH. Thus, the time between t2 and t3 is indicative for the time required to charge the capacitor C1 from TL to TH.

Accordingly, the control unit 20 may detect during the calibration phase in a step 4008 the time elapsed between the instants t2 and t3 and perform during the normal operation a recharging with a recharge time T_(recharge) determined as a function of the time elapsed, thus regulating the middle point voltage V_(MID) to be used during the normal operation. For example, the maximum number of pulses in the signal CMP may be expected by setting the recharge time to: T _(recharge)=(t3−t2)/2, because in this case, the middle point voltage V_(MID) should correspond more or less to: V _(MID)=(TH−TL)/2.

For example, in some embodiments, the method shown in FIG. 8 is modified for this purpose, e.g., by adding an additional step between the step 2004 and the step 2006. Specifically, once the comparison signal CMP₂₀₂ indicates that the voltage V₂₀₂ at the first contact 202 is below the lower threshold TL, the first contact 202 is connected again to the supply voltage VDD such that said capacitor C1 is recharged through the supply voltage VDD. More specifically, the recharge duration T_(recharge) of the capacitor C1 is determined as a function of the duration of the above duration t3−t2 of the calibration phase 4006, thereby defining the middle point voltage V_(MID). Finally, the procedure terminates at a stop step 4010.

In some embodiments, instead of monitoring the recharge time between the thresholds TL and TH (i.e., t2 and t3), the procedure may monitor the discharge time between the thresholds TH and TL. For example, in an example embodiment, the procedure may again discharge the capacitor C1 after the step 4006, e.g., by using the driving describe with respect to step 4004. That is, once the voltage V₂₀₂ has reached the threshold TH and the logic level goes to high, the pad 204 is connected to ground GND and the pad 202 is set to a high impedance state. Thus, by monitoring the time when the lower threshold TL is reached, i.e., when the logic level of CMP₂₀₂ goes to low, it is possible to determine the discharge behavior and set the discharge time T_(discharge) accordingly.

Generally speaking, this calibration procedure may also be performed periodically. Moreover, in some embodiments, the previously-described closed loop calibration methods (e.g., the method for setting the time T_(excit) described with respect to FIG. 14), may also be used to regulate the times T_(recharge) or T_(discharge).

Accordingly, as described above, the Self-tuning Reference technique takes advantage of moving the external reference voltage V_(MID) to avoid a variable internal reference signal. While the embodiments have been described in combination with the CDCS technique, generally speaking, this approach may be applied also to prior art approaches, in which the middle point voltage V_(MID) is imposed via a voltage signal (see, e.g., FIG. 3a ). Therefore, the Self-Tuning Reference (STR) technique automatically tunes the time T_(excit) or directly the middle point voltage V_(MID) to meet a target number of pulses regardless of the working parameters (and in general PVT variations).

The details of construction and the embodiments may vary with respect to what has been described and illustrated herein purely by way of example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the ensuing claims. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method of interfacing an LC sensor, comprising an inductor and a first capacitor, with a controller, the controller comprising first and second contacts with the LC sensor being coupled between the first and second contacts of the controller and a second capacitor, different from the first capacitor, being coupled between the first contact and a reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage comprises a first reference voltage and at least one second reference voltage, the method comprising: during a first phase, connecting the first contact to a supply voltage and placing the second contact in a high impedance state so that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage; during a second phase, placing the first contact in the high impedance state and connecting the second contact to the reference voltage so that the second capacitor transfers charge to the LC sensor; during a third phase, placing the first contact and the second contact in the high impedance state so that the LC sensor oscillates; monitoring a voltage at the second contact during the third phase to vary a duration of the second phase to regulate a voltage at the second capacitor at a beginning of the third phase to define a middle point voltage of an oscillation occurring at the second contact, wherein monitoring the voltage at the second contact comprises comparing the voltage at the second contact with the at least one second reference voltage to generate a comparison signal comprising a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal; monitoring a voltage at the first contact with a Schmitt Trigger so that the second comparison signal is set to high when the voltage at the first contact is above a given upper threshold, and to low when the voltage at the first contact is below a given lower threshold; and performing a calibration, wherein performing the calibration comprises: during a first calibration phase, connecting the first contact to the supply voltage and placing the second contact in the high impedance state that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage; during a second calibration phase, placing the first contact in a high impedance state and connecting the second contact to the first reference voltage so that the second capacitor transfers charge to the LC sensor; during a third calibration phase, once the second comparison signal indicates that the voltage at the first contact is below the given lower threshold, connecting the first contact to a supply voltage so that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage; and during a fourth calibration phase, once the second comparison signal indicates that the voltage at the first contact is above the given upper threshold, determining the duration of the third calibration phase.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the voltage at said second contact comprises counting a number of pulses in the comparison signal.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein varying the duration of the second phase to regulate the voltage at the second capacitor at a beginning of the third phase comprises varying the duration of the second phase to ensure a minimum number of pulses in the comparison signal.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein between the second calibration phase and the third calibration phase, once the second comparison signal indicates that the voltage at the first contact is below the given lower threshold, further comprising connecting the first contact to the supply voltage so that the second capacitor is recharged through the supply voltage, wherein a recharge duration is determined as a function of the duration of the second calibration phase to define the middle point voltage of an oscillation occurring at the second contact.
 5. A system comprising: an LC sensor comprising an inductor and a first capacitor; a controller comprising first and second contacts with the LC sensor being coupled between the first and second contacts of the controller; and a second capacitor, different from the first capacitor, coupled between the first contact and a reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage comprises a first reference voltage and at least one second reference voltage; said controller being configured to during a first phase, connect the first contact to a supply voltage and place the second contact in a high impedance state so that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage, during a second phase, place the first contact in the high impedance state and connect the second contact to the reference voltage so that the second capacitor transfers charge to the LC sensor, during a third phase, place the first contact and the second contact in the high impedance state so that the LC sensor oscillates; monitor a voltage at the second contact during the third phase to vary a duration of the second phase to regulate a voltage at the second capacitor at a beginning of the third phase to define a middle point voltage of an oscillation occurring at the second contact, wherein the controller monitors the voltage at the second contact by comparing the voltage at the second contact with the at least one second reference voltage to generate a comparison signal comprising a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal; monitor a voltage at the first contact so that the second comparison signal is set to high when the voltage at the first contact is above a given upper threshold, and to low when the voltage at the first contact is below a given lower threshold; and perform a calibration, wherein the controller is configured to perform the calibration by: during a first calibration phase, connecting the first contact to the supply voltage and placing the second contact in the high impedance state that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage; during a second calibration phase, placing the first contact in a high impedance state and connecting the second contact to the first reference voltage so that the second capacitor transfers charge to the LC sensor; during a third calibration phase, once the second comparison signal indicates that the voltage at the first contact is below the given lower threshold, connecting the first contact to a supply voltage so that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage; and during a fourth calibration phase, once the second comparison signal indicates that the voltage at the first contact is above the given upper threshold, determining the duration of the third calibration phase.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said controller monitors the voltage at the second contact by counting a number of pulses in the second comparison signal.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein said controller varies the duration of the second phase to regulate the voltage at the second capacitor at the beginning of the third phase by varying the duration of the second phase to ensure a minimum number of pulses in the second comparison signal.
 8. The system of claim 5 wherein said controller comprises: a first switch configured to selectively connect the first contact to the supply voltage or place the first contact in the high impedance state; a second switch configured to selectively connect the second contact to the reference voltage or place the first contact in the high impedance state; and a comparator configured to monitor the voltage at the second contact.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first switch comprises three-state output driving circuitry associated with the first contact; wherein said second switch comprises three-state output driving circuitry associated with the second contact; and wherein said comparator comprises input sensing circuitry associated with the second contact, said input sensing circuitry comprising a Schmitt Trigger.
 10. The system of claim 5 wherein said controller is integrated in an integrated circuit.
 11. A controller comprising: first and second contacts, wherein an LC sensor, comprising an inductor and a first capacitor, is to be coupled between the first and said second contacts, and wherein a second capacitor, different from the first capacitor, is to be coupled between the first contact and a reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage comprises a first reference voltage and at least one second reference voltage; and a processor configured to during a first phase, connect the first contact to a supply voltage and place the second contact in a high impedance state so that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage, during a second phase, place the first contact in the high impedance state and connect the second contact to the reference voltage so that the second capacitor transfers charge to the LC sensor, during a third phase, place the first contact and the second contact in the high impedance state so that the LC sensor oscillates; monitor a voltage at the second contact during the third phase to vary a duration of the second phase to regulate a voltage at the second capacitor at a beginning of the third phase to define a middle point voltage of an oscillation occurring at the second contact, wherein the controller monitors the voltage at the second contact by comparing the voltage at the second contact with the at least one second reference voltage to generate a comparison signal comprising a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal; monitor a voltage at the first contact so that the second comparison signal is set to high when the voltage at the first contact is above a given upper threshold, and to low when the voltage at the first contact is below a given lower threshold; and perform a calibration, wherein the controller is configured to perform the calibration by: during a first calibration phase, connecting the first contact to the supply voltage and placing the second contact in the high impedance state that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage; during a second calibration phase, placing the first contact in a high impedance state and connecting the second contact to the first reference voltage so that the second capacitor transfers charge to the LC sensor; during a third calibration phase, once the second comparison signal indicates that the voltage at the first contact is below the given lower threshold, connecting the first contact to a supply voltage so that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage; and during a fourth calibration phase, once the second comparison signal indicates that the voltage at the first contact is above the given upper threshold, determining the duration of the third calibration phase.
 12. The controller of claim 11, wherein said processor monitors the voltage at the second contact by counting a number of pulses in the second comparison signal.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for a controller comprising first and second contacts with an LC sensor, comprising an inductor and a first capacitor, being coupled between the first and second contacts of the controller and a second capacitor being coupled between the first contact and a reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage comprises a first reference voltage and at least one second reference voltage, the non-transitory computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for causing the controller to perform steps comprising: during a first phase, connecting the first contact to a supply voltage and placing the second contact in a high impedance state so that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage; during a second phase, placing the first contact in the high impedance state and connecting the second contact to the reference voltage so that the second capacitor transfers charge to the LC sensor; during a third phase, placing the first contact and the second contact in the high impedance state so that the LC sensor oscillates; monitoring a voltage at the second contact during the third phase to vary a duration of the second phase to regulate a voltage at the second capacitor at a beginning of the third phase to define a middle point voltage of an oscillation occurring at the second contact, wherein monitoring the voltage at the second contact comprises comparing the voltage at the second contact with the at least one second reference voltage to generate a comparison signal comprising a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal; monitoring a voltage at the first contact with a Schmitt Trigger so that the second comparison signal is set to high when the voltage at the first contact is above a given upper threshold, and to low when the voltage at the first contact is below a given lower threshold; and performing a calibration, wherein performing the calibration comprises: during a first calibration phase, connecting the first contact to the supply voltage and placing the second contact in the high impedance state that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage; during a second calibration phase, placing the first contact in a high impedance state and connecting the second contact to the first reference voltage so that the second capacitor transfers charge to the LC sensor; during a third calibration phase, once the second comparison signal indicates that the voltage at the first contact is below the given lower threshold, connecting the first contact to a supply voltage so that the second capacitor is charged through the supply voltage; and during a fourth calibration phase, once the second comparison signal indicates that the voltage at the first contact is above the given upper threshold, determining the duration of the third calibration phase.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein monitoring the voltage at the second contact comprises counting a number of pulses in the second comparison signal.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein varying the duration of the second phase to regulate the voltage at the second capacitor at the beginning of the third phase comprises varying the duration of the second phase to ensure a minimum number of pulses in the second comparison signal.
 16. The controller of claim 11, further comprising: a first switch configured to selectively connect the first contact to the supply voltage or place the first contact in the high impedance state; a second switch configured to selectively connect the second contact to the reference voltage or place the first contact in the high impedance state; and a comparator configured to monitor the voltage at the second contact.
 17. The controller of claim 16, wherein the first switch comprises three-state output driving circuitry associated with the first contact; wherein said second switch comprises three-state output driving circuitry associated with the second contact; and wherein said comparator comprises input sensing circuitry associated with the second contact, said input sensing circuitry comprising a Schmitt Trigger. 